The Night He Left: Episode 67

Mrs Craig, we are here regarding a murder. Nasty business, sorry to bother you about it

Sue Lawrence is a popular novelist as well as a cookery book author. The Night He Left is published by Freight. Down to the Sea, her first historical mystery, was published by Contraband in 2019. Sue’s latest book, The Unreliable Death of Lady Grange, was published in March by Saraband.

Ann froze. She had planted the needle on Alfred so that she would never be implicated. And Alfred would say nothing that might incriminate her, of that she was positive, even if he were to be arrested. Surely they couldn’t find anything from the handkerchiefs if Margaret had handed those in? “Mrs Craig, two gentlemen to see you.” Jessie’s eyes were wide, as if she had never encountered a policeman at close quarters – and there were now two in her mistress’s house.

Ann took a deep breath to compose herself, then nodded as Jessie showed them in.

“Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Craig,” the older one said, as he nudged the younger one and whispered to him to remove his hat.

“We have some questions to ask if you don’t mind.” “Of course, please be seated.”

Ann glanced up at the door. “Bring us some refreshments, Jessie, and ask Mrs Baxter for some yellow cake.”

The policemen smiled then the older one coughed. “Mrs Craig, we are here regarding a murder. Nasty business, sorry to bother you about it.” “Madeira? Can I offer you a glass?”

Ann rose and rushed, with too much haste, to the table and began to pour.

Shaking

Her hand was shaking so she steadied it on the table before handing each man a glass. She sat down and took a sip from hers.

“Murder, did you say? How awful. How might I be of any assistance, gentlemen?”

Be your most charming, Ann Craig, without being coquettish.

“I don’t know if you recall but the first body to be found after the tragedy on December 28 was a serving maid. One Janet Clark of Tayport.”

Ann’s breathing slowed down a little. “Yes, I believe I do recall.”

“Her father has just made a dreadful allegation, Mrs Craig and one that will come as a shock to you.”

Just then, Mrs Baxter shuffled in with a tray of tea and cake.

“Ah, Mrs Baxter, you must be feeling better?” “Aye, that I am,” she muttered as she placed the tray on the table.

She looked round at the policemen and nodded then did a double take.

“Is that you, wee Jimmy Hutchison?”

The younger policeman flushed bright red and stuttered, “Aye, it’s me, Auntie Jeannie.

“Did you not ken I’m now a policeman?” “Your mother and I have not spoken for five years so no, I did not. Look at you!”

“Mrs Baxter, it is wonderful you have rediscovered your nephew after all these years, but these men are busy people and must go about their business.” Ann nodded towards the door.

“Aye, right. Bye then, Jimmy, grand to see you. Remember me to you big sisters.”

“You were saying something about a servant girl?” Ann was cursing the big village that was Dundee, where everyone either knew or was related to everyone else.

How on earth could Mrs Baxter turn out to be the policeman’s aunt? How unfortunate.

“Aye, well William Clark’s allegation is . . .” The older man looked towards Ann.

“I’ll read his statement aloud, if that’s all right, Mrs Craig, for I fear it will be more shocking in my own words.”

Ann stretched to pick up her fan.

Speechless

“Here is the statement of William Donald Clark of 5, The Cottages, Tayport, dated Monday, January 12 1880.

‘My daughter Janet Clark, a 25-year-old servant at Kirkmichael House, Fife, began a relationship with the nephew of her mistress, Lady Cruickshank.

‘After several weeks, Janet became with child to her Ladyship’s nephew, one Robert Craig of Dundee.

On hearing the news of the child to be, Robert Craig, in a rage, hit my daughter, her head cracked open on the kitchen floor, then he threw her in the sea on Sunday, December 28 1879. It was all seen by Janet’s sister Edith.’”

Ann sat, her breathing shallow. Good Lord, was that why they were here? She took her time to speak.

“Gentlemen, I do not know what to say. All this leaves me simply speechless.

“My husband having intimate relationships with a servant is already too much for one to bear but the fact that he supposedly then killed her on hearing she was with child is simply unbelievable.”

Ann said nothing more; reticence was required here.

“Mrs Craig, did you at any time suspect that your husband was in a relationship with Janet Clark?”

“No, I did not.”

Jimmy scribbled in his book.

“And do you have any reason to believe your husband might have murdered Janet Clark?”

She hesitated. “No, I do not.”

“Mrs Craig, where has your husband been since the night of December 28?”

Ann frowned. “Do you not know? Are you not aware that he was one of the train passengers that went down into the river that night?”

The two men looked at each other.

“No.”

“That is why I am in mourning, gentlemen, and even now await a letter from the morgue telling me his body has been washed ashore.

“I believe it will arrive soon. I miss him terribly but I am resigned now to the fact he will never return.” “We will check at the morgue after this.”

“I can send Jessie to you with the letter when it comes,” she said quickly. “Which police station?”

“Union Street. Aye, if you don’t mind doing that for us, Mrs Craig.”

Thank God, she did not want policemen snooping round the morgue until Robert was buried.

“And now, Mrs Craig, we will take our leave of you and apologise for this. Mr Clark is obviously either mistaken or lying. And both would have serious consequences.”

They stood up and Ann inclined her head as they went to the door.

Gossiping

Instead of going to her window seat to watch them leave, she stood in the hallway, as she knew Mrs Baxter would be there, hovering.

But they were taking forever to put on their cloaks so she reluctantly went back inside; it was not seemly for a lady to see guests out.

She ran to the window and saw the older man walking down the drive alone.

That meant that the young one was speaking to his aunt.

Soon she saw young Jimmy run down after his colleague, waving at the door where the housekeeper must have been, gossiping.

Ann stamped her foot. Damn the woman, she was becoming trouble.

She sighed and looked out at the river. The wind was getting up and the waters were beginning to swell and heave.

More tomorrow